Improvement in processes for producing signs in paint



FIGE.

ALEXANDER BRANDON, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN PROCESSES FOR PRODUCING SIGNS IN PAINT.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 117,376, dated July 25, 1871.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALEXANDER BRANDON, of the city and county of New York and State of New York, have invented a certain new and Improved Method of 'Producing Signs in Paint; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof.

I will first describe what I consider the best means of carrying out my invention, and will afterward designate the points which I believe to be new.

I have experimented with my invention on ordinary tinned iron, previouslyp ainted orj apanned or otherwise suitably prepared. I employ a common printing-press with types of hard wood, and I back the tin with two or more thicknesses of highly-elastic felt or analogous blanketing. I mix the paint thicker than for application with a brush, selecting a drier of any approved character, and incorporating it in any approved manner and in any desired quantities. I distribute this thick paint on the ink-roll or rollers, and repeat the impression several times in succession on the same plate without allowing the plate to be moved, applying the thick paint by means of rollers between each impression. The first impression gives a dotted or clouded character to the whole surface on which the paint is applied. The subsequent impression fills the interstices more and more. I have tested my invention with success, and have commenced to produce by these means a great number of small signs adapted for the numbering of houses in streets.

In order to more nearly imitate the brushpainting, for which it is a substitute, I prefer to employ letters specially cut for the purpose; but it is not absolutely essential.

The paint may be mixed with various degrees of consistency, according to the kind of work or the taste of the operator. But I have succeeded best, in producing the small signs above referred to, with paint having from two to three times the quantity of coloring matter in proportion to the varnish or oil as employed in ordinary oil painting.

The force of the impression may be graduated at will but I propose to use less force than is ordinarily employed in printing with printers ink. I have found no difficulty in the use of ordinary printers rolls made of glue and molasses in the ordinary manner; but the rolls should be harder than those prepared for printing with ink, in order to endure the severe pulling due to the adhesive quality of the thick paint. I believe the ordinary wood type will answer for this method of producing signs.

For producing signs on glass the types should be made of vulcanized rubber, and the paint should be mixed largely with varnish, so that the oil will not so readily aifect the material. I can use varnish as a partial or complete substitute for oil in the thick paint used in printing, by my method, on any material. I intend by the term oil-paint, a paint properly so called, which will stand the action of the weather, whether the liquid portion be solely linseed-oil or a varnish containing oil, and giving the qualities of a paint.

It is not absolutely necessary that the types be soft and elastic. Hard types may be used with success in printing on some surfaces, and may be required for printing very small letters, such as the rules of a railroad company posted on the outside of a depot or on a bridge; but I prefer wood or rubber for all letters of considerable size.

I do not claim printing signs simply, or except when printed in the peculiar manner herein set forth; but,

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is as follows:

The within-described mode of operation for producing signs on hard material, the same con sisting of the employment of soft types with thick paint, and holding the hard-surfaced sign in a fixed position on the platen or analogous surface of a suitable press, and subjecting it to repeated impressions upon the elastic type, the latter being rolled or resupplied with paint between each impression, all substantially in the manner herein specified.

ALEX. BRANDON.

Witnesses:

J NO. EARL, W. O. DEY. 

